Healthcare Services – Other organisations that can help

Age UK

Age UK's vision is to make the UK a great place to grow older. We do this by inspiring, supporting and enabling in a number of ways, including projects for veterans. The Age UK network includes Age Cymru,Age NI, and Age Scotland and more than 150 local Age UKs throughout England.

The Centre for Veterans Health at King Edward VII's Hospital helps veterans through specialist treatment tailored to their needs. The Centre offers means tested grants to help with up to 100% of the costs associated with procedures, a further 20% discount given automatically to military personnel, veterans, their spouses or widows, a five day pain management programme, and a specialist pain consultant to help with recovery.

Citizens Advice provides free, confidential and independent advice to help people overcome their problems. We are a voice for our clients and consumers on the issues that matter to them. We value diversity, champion equality and challenge discrimination. We're here for everyone.

Please use the link below to find contact details for Citizens Advice near you.

The Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) is an independent charity providing help and support to the Armed Forces community when they need help during times of physical or mental ill health, either in hospital, rehabilitation settings or at home. Our Welfare Officers provide practical and emotional support to ensure that no family goes through the worry of illness or injury alone. This can range from assistance with housing or finance issues to offering a listening ear. Our 24/7 service is a vital additional layer of welfare to those who put themselves in harm's way to protect the nation.

EFSNY offers a range of help and support for past members of the Armed Forces over 65 in North Yorkshire. We have a range of free support on offer to enable older veterans to live well in later life. This ranges from being able to attend groups and workshops, to healthy lifestyle advice, to befriending and volunteering, gardening, benefits and financial support, home handyman and small improvements service, and much more.

Services at Finchale include accommodation and housing; offering a bespoke service towards sourcing sustainable accommodation; employability and training; CV building, job applications, interview and confidence techniques. It also offers support towards mental and physical health issues. Support is further extended to families and reservists. Finchale also works collaboratively with external agencies to support and provide guidance to veterans with a wide range of issues.

Launchpad offers 50 self-contained flats in Speke House, Liverpool and another 30 in Avondale House, Newcastle. Several members of staff support the residents in each house during the daytime and they help the veterans make a lasting transition to civilian life, helping them with finances, including benefits and job hunting. The staff signpost the veterans to specialists who can help them with welfare, health, training and housing, among other things. Residents do pay a rent which is covered by housing benefit until individuals are employed.

The Armed Forces Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Support Group supports members of the Military family Affected by MS. They exist for Serving members of the Armed Forces, Veterans, Reserves, dependants and their carers affected by MS. Mutual Support is one of the MS Society’s National Support Groups. Run by volunteers with direct experience of MS and the Armed Forces, it provides services and activities based on what people affected by MS want. A trained team provide the support you need to deal with your situation, and aim to be at the end of the phone when needed.

The Scottish Government is committed to making sure no member of the Armed Forces veterans community in Scotland faces any disadvantage when accessing services and support. The Scottish Government has also appointed a Scottish Veterans Commissioner whose remit is to improve outcomes for all veterans. The commissioner is independent of the government and has his own dedicated funding. Veterans in Scotland can get support for healthcare, housing, funding for education and training, employability, Armed Forces pensions, and referrals to other organisations.

The NGVFA supports those affected by Gulf War 1, Gulf War 2 (Iraq), Afghanistan, and all future desert conflicts. Many returning home from these conflicts develop health or social problems. The NGVFA helps veterans (whether ill or not), Service personnel who were vaccinated but were non-deployed, Armed Forces personnel who are still serving , family members, widows and widowers, and civilians contracted to the armed forces. They work throughout the UK and abroad.

A dedicated nurse will assess veterans’ needs and develop a bespoke plan to support them and their family. This involves arranging access to the Living Well Centre/Rowans Hospice facilities like exercise groups, complimentary therapies, carers support group, reminiscence group, bereavement support, future planning, psychology support, crafts or just a listening ear. Home visits are offered plus links to the veterans’ volunteer companions service. This part of the service is a dedicated group of volunteers who are veterans themselves , currently serving personnel or have experience of the Armed Forces.

When one of the RAF family needs a friend, they turn to us. That's because we can be there on the doorstep, in person, to help sort out the problem and share the load. When times are tough, nothing beats friendly, face-to-face support from someone who really cares.

Royal Air Force Association (RAFA) is a Veterans' Gateway Referral Partner.

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Supporting veterans and direct family members, who face health, housing, financial and social problems by providing confidential practical support to get their voice heard. We are aware that some veterans struggle to access services and support needed to maintain civilian life. Experienced staff offer tailored one-to-one support which seeks to: improve access to and experiences of mainstream services; maximise income; have needs and views respected; ensure rights under the Armed Forces Covenant are understood; improve mental health through increased confidence.

Veterans Assist Scotland is an online information hub and signposting service for veterans and those supporting veterans. They can provide contact details for the various Armed Forces and Veterans Champions, employment information, housing options, as well as information on public and voluntary sector support across Scotland, based on specific needs.

Veterans Contact Point aims to help all serving members and veterans of the UK Armed Forces, their spouses, and dependents by working in partnership with others and other organisations to assist in the provision of schemes, grants, and services for their resettlement, rehabilitation, retraining, employment, and ongoing welfare. The service is available across the Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire areas.

Veterans HQ is a free and accessible one stop centre of support for ex-Armed Forces personnel, reservists and their families. The centre is run by a team of friendly staff who can provide information, advice and support on many areas relevant to the Armed Forces community such as welfare and benefits, housing, health and wellbeing, and employability. Drop-in sessions are available to those who need help with job applications and there is also a Custody Co-ordinator on-site for those who are in, or about to leave the criminal justice system. Veterans HQ also offer a health and wellbeing programme that includes access to a fitness centre, social activities, counselling and group therapy.